This was a pleasant hike that was north of the more famous Mount Woodson Trail (aka Potato Chip…read moreRock) in Poway. You can actually choose your own adventure about 0.6 mile in with a less strenuous trek that headed south to Lake Poway or a tougher path east and then north that ascended to Lake Ramona. I chose the latter as it was only a round trip of about five miles. There were several switchbacks during the climb towards the summit. The hardest part came just short of Lake Ramona when the dirt became a black top pavement. The footing became better, but the steepness and stiff, swirling breezes made it a challenge. Once you reached the top, the reward was a beautiful view of the lake. There were a few folks who had arrived earlier, and they were armed with fishing poles. I had no idea how they were going to cast their lines because large boulders blocked the way down to the water. It took me exactly two hours from start to finish which included a little rest time at the peak to appreciate the view of the serene water. A bonus of the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve was that the parking lot at the trailhead was very well maintained. If this trail was longer, then I likely would have rated it with five stars.

Great spot for a peaceful hike. There are plenty of trails to explore. We ended up doing a 2-mile…read moreloop. The path has informative placards throughout, and I loved all the beautiful greenery along the way. There's a large parking lot nearby, and it wasn't crowded. We only saw a few other hikers. A lovely place to get outside and enjoy nature.

I've done this trail/hike quite a few times already since I grew up in the area. It's been a few…read moreyears since I had last done it and I went alone with my little dog a few months ago during the summer. BRING ALOT OF WATER. If you're new to this trail/hike, I would recommend the north trail. The south trail can be a bit confusing and you may get lost if you're inexperienced. Parking: I take a little shortcut and I park closer to Park Village elementary school and there's a little parking lot area roundabout that you can park in. Plenty of little trails , little critters, and people riding their horses through. A calming sight to see. there is good amount of water during the summertime when I went. Hiking shoes are not needed. When you get to the waterfall, there's plenty of rocks you can climb onto and it's pretty fun. Dog friendly, but make sure they're on a leash during the trail.

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve is a set of flat hiking trails along a dry creek bed stretching…read morefrom Black Mountain Road on the east to Sorrento Valley on the west. The round trip from one end to the other was just under 12 miles. From the east, you start at Canyonside Community Park. The parking spaces closest to the trailhead were adjacent to baseball field #8 so keep that in mind. You can actually take one of two parallel trails westward, one north of the creek bed and one south of the creek bed, towards the "waterfall" which was about a three-mile distance. I have done both before with different groups of friends. There was quite a bit of shade on certain parts of the trek. You will need to watch out for dung as horse riding was permitted on the trails. The waterfall was an area of boulders where the creek has flowing water that descends maybe 20 feet over a distance of about 50 yards. At this junction, you can cross the creek from the north trail to the south trail or vice versa to head back east to Canyonside Community Park. I have never gone west of the waterfall, but one of these days I will do so or start from the Sorrento Valley side and head eastward. If you like a long hike without much elevation, then this will be for you.

Beautiful views. Good amount of gain on a well maintained trail. 3.2 mi around the lake. Prefer…read moregoing in on the Northwest side of the lake loop. Small cafe at the trailhead/fish dock. No swimming allowed.

This review is for the Lake Poway Loop Trail, not for Mt. Woodson Trail which is 7.8 miles…read moreroundtrip. Lake Poway Loop Trail is a great easy hike! It's labeled as moderate but it is quite easy with only a few slight inclines. If you go clockwise on the loop and turn left on the trailhead, the beginning is more challenging than the end. There's not much shade on the trail so I suggest going in the morning or on a cooler day. There's views of the mountains and the greenery in the beginning and views of the lake on the second half of the trail. The trail itself is very well maintained with clean benches for seating, port-a potties, and a few trash cans along the way especially near the lake. $10 parking fee on weekends and holidays, but free on weekdays. When parking, walk towards the snack bar building and the boat rentals on the water and you'll see the start of the trailhead. It is 2.8 miles round trip and about one hour long. Dog friendly with dogs on leash.

I was pleasantly surprised to find this nice scenic hike so close to home and many of the places I…read moreoften visit. The hike is not a difficult one, but very convenient to get to and offers some great views of the Poway area as you get towards the summit. If you are a local to the area and looking for a quick hike, this might be a good one for you to try.

The Cleveland National Forest is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. My niece drove…read moreme through part of the forest on the way to Three Sisters Falls. The mountain views were indescribable. Pictures do not due it justice. The roads were a little scary, narrow with big drop-offs on one side. I'm glad I wasn't driving lol! If you get the chance to check it out, I highly recommend you do! If you want to hike, be sure to use proper shoes and bring sunscreen and lots of water.

I love coming out here! Usually it's just driving through, but one of the most memorable hikes I've…read moredone is Garnet Peak Trail. It was just challenging enough to feel like we earned it, but was still enjoyable. We had a picnic on the top and the whole peak to ourselves for a picnic as the clouds rolled in below. Make a plan before you go, many areas have a parking fee, easily payable online. AllTrails lists a lot of trails in the area that I've bookmarked for hikes this Fall/Winter. I stay towards the beach more in the summer months, but I look forward to updating this review when I explore new parts of this beautiful forest!

If you're thinking about hiking Mount Woodson trail aka the famous Potato Chip Rock--just know…read more.. your legs are about to file a formal complaint. This hike is a little over 7 miles (round trip) and definitely on the "hard but worth it" side, with steady climbs, and rocky steps that will have you questioning "who's idea was this?" For trail details, I'd suggest checking out Alltrails before you go. Things to know: the trailhead starts at Lake Poway Recreation Area and there's a $10 entrance fee. Weather can be unpredictable--our hike started wet and ended sunny, so dress smart. Bring plenty of water, good shoes with traction, and a snack to reward yourself at the top (you earned it). The trail is fairly well marked, but pro tip: take pics at each fork unless you enjoy "bonus miles" on the way down. At the summit, expect a line to snap that iconic photo. And yes--you'll need to do a tiny "jump" onto the rock... which suddenly turns very intimidating when it's your turn. Some people bail, but it's totally doable. Challenging, a little chaotic, and 100% one of my favorite hikes. Your calves won't forgive you--but your camera roll will.

I know this trail as potato chip rock!…read more We started the hike at 730am, ended at 11 All incline! There are a couple portable bathrooms along the trail. Beautiful view of the lake. Beautiful view of all SD on a clear day! Once you make it to the top you can take a picture on the chip! It's a little scary, but worth it just to say you did it! There's a 10 dollar parking fee. Bathrooms are clean. It's a very diverse park with lots to do!

Nice five mile loop for walkers and distance runners. Not too hilly, but don't get overconfident…read morebecause there are many switchbacks. There's usually a breeze by the lake, still pack your hats and sunscreen since shade is rare along the trail. There are few cars along the path, and some days you'll see people picnicking and fishing or goats grazing in the upper pasture near the parking lot. Plentiful parking, bathrooms and picnic benches make this a good spot for all.

Great lake to walk around! A mere 5 miles will take around Lake Miramar…read more You start off by parking in their quite large parking lot. You head off in the direction everyone else is walking in and suddenly you will find yourself on the walking path. There are two paths (the trails and the paved road). The paved road, warns you as you approach the 1.5 or 2 miles mark, this is a good point to turn around is you are getting tired. I suggest slowing down if you are getting tired and picking up the pace once you regain energy. The lake itself is beautiful with lots of natural beauty from the lake, various birds and fauna. There are shady parts along the path along with sunny parts. All in all a great lake for a leisure active walk.

I've been coming here for years…read more Tons of open space that's well maintained. With beautiful views of the established and up and coming neighborhoods, it's worth the trek. A good amount of parking and trails that allow you to get your cardio on. Everything I visit, there is always a photo session taking place. I'll be back soon.

The Yelp address is incorrect for this listing as it should be where Hilltop Community Park is…read morelocated in Rancho Penasquitos. You can use their parking lot if space is available, or you can park curbside on Oviedo Way. There was a large marker at the trailhead which provided a map of Black Mountain Open Space Park. I came to trek Black Mountain including the Nighthawk Trail and the Miner's Ridge Loop. The latter appeared to be closed, but I walked it anyway and came across several runners who were jogging along the path. The ascent to the summit was a decent challenge that I would rate as moderate. The descent was when I tried Miner's Ridge Loop instead of going back down the way I came up. The Loop was narrower and windier, but it felt more like a wilderness hike which I enjoyed better. It also added approximately 1.25 miles to the round trip. If you want a shorter up and down hike, then just go to the peak and back. If you want additional length and more challenge, then include the Loop as part of your journey.